I've been thinking a lot about clothes recently. Probably because the seasons have changed again and I wish I could afford lots of new ones, but also because I'm assessing the ones that I still have and if they're clothes that I want to wear.
I'm wondering how people see me in these clothes, if I'm revealing too much, if they're attractive and if they should be. How much skin should I show and what would that man walking with his wife and kids at the grocery store think of me if I wore them. Would I cause him to take his eyes off of his wife for a moment?
There was a time that I would feel flattered by a man's wandering eye and a little powerful. I didn't think there was anything wrong with it.
A number of years ago, while I was still struggling with the weight I gained during my third pregnancy, I was praying about how to lose the weight. The motivation I used to use just didn't seem right to me anymore. I couldn't reconcile being a follower of Jesus and someone who wanted to catch the eye of men.
On the flip side, I wanted to be attractive to my husband and still do.
I've been thinking about teenage girls and unmarried women too and what a struggle they have. They want to catch the eye of the boys and feel special and noticed. The quickest way to do that is to wear clothes that are sexy and show off their bodies. I know these girls don't necessarily want what the boys are thinking, but they do enjoy the attention,or pretend not to. It must be frustrating for the girls who dress more conservatively, who want to be seen for who they are, not what they look like. They want to be noticed too.
So I started thinking about the women who wear burquas. I saw a lady in a burqua once, at Marine Land. She looked kinda scary, like someone in a ghost costume. I couldn't see her face. I couldn't tell if she was happy or sad. Her children, that were enjoying the ride, couldn't see her joyful expressions. On the other hand, no man could either. They couldn't see her pretty face or any wayward glance she might give them. The burqua completely covered everything that might betray that she was a woman. She belonged to her husband.
I've heard it said that some women who wear burquas enjoy the safety that they bring. These women would never be guilty of causing a man to lust after her. She is safely hidden beneath the burqua.
The long dresses and head coverings of other cultures seem strange to us, but I like what they stand for. They are keeping themselves only for their husbands, not even attempting to catch the eye of anyone else. That's admirable. I wonder if they find it frustrating when other women don't show the same restraint in their clothing choices.
I stood behind a Mennonite family in line at the grocery store. They all wore the plain clothing that Mennonite people often wear. I wondered if it was difficult for the men to divert their eyes from the colorfully dressed women all around them. I wondered too, if their wives felt a little less beautiful. I started to feel ashamed of my t-shirt and pants. It made me think about what it would be like to go shopping beneath a burqua. It might be kind of fun to make faces at people who can't see me and know that every woman is not feeling threatened and every man that's looking is only thinking that I look really strange.
I wonder if there's a happy medium. If there is...I hope to find it.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Friday, June 16, 2006
Spark People
I have discovered a new web site! http://sparkpeople.com It is sooo cool.
Okay, (surprise, surprise) it's about eating better and exercise. They ask you a bunch of questions when you sign up and then determine how many calories and other nutrients you need in a day, based on your activity level, how much you want to lose etc. (I increased my daily calories by 300, I thought their suggestion was a little low for me)
Then (this is the cool part) they give you a meal plan. You can substitute individual foods, (if you don't eat, or want them) or an entire meal. The meals are so balanced too. There's cookies and icecream!! They even have really yummy recipes.
I hesitated sharing this with you because sometimes these sites just get a bunch of people to sign up for free then tell you that it's getting costly so now it costs $19.97 per month. But this company has a non-profit arm, and this is it.
Check it out, really.
(Am I the only person in the world that gets excited about nutrition and exercise?)
Okay, (surprise, surprise) it's about eating better and exercise. They ask you a bunch of questions when you sign up and then determine how many calories and other nutrients you need in a day, based on your activity level, how much you want to lose etc. (I increased my daily calories by 300, I thought their suggestion was a little low for me)
Then (this is the cool part) they give you a meal plan. You can substitute individual foods, (if you don't eat, or want them) or an entire meal. The meals are so balanced too. There's cookies and icecream!! They even have really yummy recipes.
I hesitated sharing this with you because sometimes these sites just get a bunch of people to sign up for free then tell you that it's getting costly so now it costs $19.97 per month. But this company has a non-profit arm, and this is it.
Check it out, really.
(Am I the only person in the world that gets excited about nutrition and exercise?)
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
No Pain, No Gain
I just had a thought, see what you think...
You know when you make a decision to do something like...quit smoking,lose weight, stop swearing...and then...BAM...something happens and you go back to what you've always done. Well, I started thinking about this in the form of exercise. In order to see improvement you have to work your muscles harder so you need to put more stress on them in order for them to get stronger. I think that's what happens in our walk with God.
Someone said that when you make a decision to follow Jesus, usually you get tested after. Something in your life happens that's difficult, do you lean on Jesus and continue to follow Him or go back to the way you were?
I remember this happening every time I tried to quit smoking. Eventually I anticipated the terrible incident that would "cause" me to start smoking again (who could blame me after all). I think I might have even started a fight or two with my husband just so I had an excuse to start again (hanging my head in shame). The funny thing is that when you begin again and know that you can get through that last thing (fighting with my husband) without giving up, something different, that you weren't expecting, happens.
"Will you serve me even through this?" So many times I didn't and I will probably fail again, but each time God helps me to my feet and I get stronger in my relationship with Him and I remember that He's there to lean on and help me through.
When these times happen I like to sing:
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for you Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for you my Master
Ready to do your will
I love that song. I think we sang it on Sunday...maybe that's why I'm remembering it right now, but I do like to sing it when I'm passing through the flames. The pain is for a purpose, like labour, or exercise.
NO PAIN, NO GAIN
You know when you make a decision to do something like...quit smoking,lose weight, stop swearing...and then...BAM...something happens and you go back to what you've always done. Well, I started thinking about this in the form of exercise. In order to see improvement you have to work your muscles harder so you need to put more stress on them in order for them to get stronger. I think that's what happens in our walk with God.
Someone said that when you make a decision to follow Jesus, usually you get tested after. Something in your life happens that's difficult, do you lean on Jesus and continue to follow Him or go back to the way you were?
I remember this happening every time I tried to quit smoking. Eventually I anticipated the terrible incident that would "cause" me to start smoking again (who could blame me after all). I think I might have even started a fight or two with my husband just so I had an excuse to start again (hanging my head in shame). The funny thing is that when you begin again and know that you can get through that last thing (fighting with my husband) without giving up, something different, that you weren't expecting, happens.
"Will you serve me even through this?" So many times I didn't and I will probably fail again, but each time God helps me to my feet and I get stronger in my relationship with Him and I remember that He's there to lean on and help me through.
When these times happen I like to sing:
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for you Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for you my Master
Ready to do your will
I love that song. I think we sang it on Sunday...maybe that's why I'm remembering it right now, but I do like to sing it when I'm passing through the flames. The pain is for a purpose, like labour, or exercise.
NO PAIN, NO GAIN
Monday, April 24, 2006
Why Jesus?
My friend Val from highshcool died on Easter weekend. She left behind her 16 year old daughter, her mom, her 3 siblings and her wife.
My friend Kathy gave the eulogy beautifully. She talked about the stages of Val's life. When she became a Christian, when she became a mother, when she realized that she was gay, when she discovered alternate forms of spirituality, when she married her wife and finally when she "met her maker" and how all of these choices taught her (Kathy) to be tolerant of people's choices because it was their life journey.
Our Pastor spoke on Sunday about how everyone's invited to "the party". Jesus includes everyone, we're all invited. A wonderful message. It made me think of the kids that my son goes to school with, the ones that get into trouble and you don't want your kids to hang out with.
My son did...last Friday. He learned so much about them and had compassion for them and it made me want to bring them all home, and be their mom.
The message made me think of Val too and how she had been invited to "the party" and went and was included. I wonder if it was Jesus that she decided not to follow or just His followers.
It seems that following the followers messes people up. Why did we become Christians anyway? To be apart of a group? To feel included by our peers? I think sometimes we lose our focus on Jesus and start looking at the people around us and what they're doing. Who are we following?
I really knew who I was following when I understood how sinful I was and that I didn't deserve to be forgiven but Jesus forgave me anyway and died for me. It means that I have to look at my sin and recognize that I need forgiveness, not just once, but many times. That's hard to do. I can understand why someone wouldn't want to do that, that's not easy. Isn't it easier to look around and say "well, at least I'm not as bad as her" or insist that there's nothing wrong with you, everyone will just have to accept who you are, the way you are.
It reminded me of what the winner of "The Biggest Loser" said. He said that it was hard to lose the weight that he lost but it's even harder to continue in his changed lifestyle and keep it off.
It shouldn't be that difficult. Jesus loves us! And when we go to Him the shame is but a moment in time, because there's so much love. But even knowing that we still can convince ourselves that we're not worth it, that it's too hard. It made me start to wonder why other religions are easier to be a part of. Are they? If, in that moment that you excepted Jesus, there was someone saying that another path was the reason to live or change your life, would you take it?
Why choose Jesus over everything else? And why would you turn away after knowing Him? Thoughts to ponder...
My friend Kathy gave the eulogy beautifully. She talked about the stages of Val's life. When she became a Christian, when she became a mother, when she realized that she was gay, when she discovered alternate forms of spirituality, when she married her wife and finally when she "met her maker" and how all of these choices taught her (Kathy) to be tolerant of people's choices because it was their life journey.
Our Pastor spoke on Sunday about how everyone's invited to "the party". Jesus includes everyone, we're all invited. A wonderful message. It made me think of the kids that my son goes to school with, the ones that get into trouble and you don't want your kids to hang out with.
My son did...last Friday. He learned so much about them and had compassion for them and it made me want to bring them all home, and be their mom.
The message made me think of Val too and how she had been invited to "the party" and went and was included. I wonder if it was Jesus that she decided not to follow or just His followers.
It seems that following the followers messes people up. Why did we become Christians anyway? To be apart of a group? To feel included by our peers? I think sometimes we lose our focus on Jesus and start looking at the people around us and what they're doing. Who are we following?
I really knew who I was following when I understood how sinful I was and that I didn't deserve to be forgiven but Jesus forgave me anyway and died for me. It means that I have to look at my sin and recognize that I need forgiveness, not just once, but many times. That's hard to do. I can understand why someone wouldn't want to do that, that's not easy. Isn't it easier to look around and say "well, at least I'm not as bad as her" or insist that there's nothing wrong with you, everyone will just have to accept who you are, the way you are.
It reminded me of what the winner of "The Biggest Loser" said. He said that it was hard to lose the weight that he lost but it's even harder to continue in his changed lifestyle and keep it off.
It shouldn't be that difficult. Jesus loves us! And when we go to Him the shame is but a moment in time, because there's so much love. But even knowing that we still can convince ourselves that we're not worth it, that it's too hard. It made me start to wonder why other religions are easier to be a part of. Are they? If, in that moment that you excepted Jesus, there was someone saying that another path was the reason to live or change your life, would you take it?
Why choose Jesus over everything else? And why would you turn away after knowing Him? Thoughts to ponder...
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Check out this program. I caught a part of it this morning and I loved the part about the guy that lived on the street for 5 mos. just to see what it was like and how he could "do" Christianity better. I heard it first on Focus on the Family. He wrote a book called "Under the Overpass". The whole show is here:http://www.listenuptv.com/programs/060205city.shtml
Later in the same show there was a lady who started praying for businesses in her community. Something I've started to do too. Some great ideas here for our community.
Check it Out!
Later in the same show there was a lady who started praying for businesses in her community. Something I've started to do too. Some great ideas here for our community.
Check it Out!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Don't Look Down!
I was thinking about this as I was falling asleep last night. I figured that if I still remembered it by morning, I would write about it, so here I am.
You know how when you're climbing up the side of a cliff and you're doing pretty well close to the ground and as you get higher, people tell you, "don't look down"? Because what happens when you look down? You get scared and you panic and you don't want to go any higher because you've seen how far you have to fall. Some people give up right there and just fall off the side of the cliff, right back to the beginning. Other people get stuck, frozen in place, not wanting to fall, but not wanting to climb either. Other people look down and say "cool, I can see my house from up here, look how far I've come" and continue climbing" (for the record, these people annoy me :) only because I wish I was like that more).
I've found that I've failed many times as I've climbed up the side of the cliff. Sometimes I don't even try, other times I don't get very high before I give up. A few times I've clung to the side, afraid to go further but not wanting to give up the ground I'd won. And once or twice, I've admired the view for a few moments and then I looked down, and I was struck with fear and I started to fall, again. It kind of makes me want to not try anymore. It makes me think that maybe climbing to the top just isn't for me, it's for those people that aren't afraid to fall. It doesn't mean that they won't fall, it just means that they aren't afraid. They're tireless in getting back up and climbing again. Oh to have that courage. That's what I pray for.
You know how when you're climbing up the side of a cliff and you're doing pretty well close to the ground and as you get higher, people tell you, "don't look down"? Because what happens when you look down? You get scared and you panic and you don't want to go any higher because you've seen how far you have to fall. Some people give up right there and just fall off the side of the cliff, right back to the beginning. Other people get stuck, frozen in place, not wanting to fall, but not wanting to climb either. Other people look down and say "cool, I can see my house from up here, look how far I've come" and continue climbing" (for the record, these people annoy me :) only because I wish I was like that more).
I've found that I've failed many times as I've climbed up the side of the cliff. Sometimes I don't even try, other times I don't get very high before I give up. A few times I've clung to the side, afraid to go further but not wanting to give up the ground I'd won. And once or twice, I've admired the view for a few moments and then I looked down, and I was struck with fear and I started to fall, again. It kind of makes me want to not try anymore. It makes me think that maybe climbing to the top just isn't for me, it's for those people that aren't afraid to fall. It doesn't mean that they won't fall, it just means that they aren't afraid. They're tireless in getting back up and climbing again. Oh to have that courage. That's what I pray for.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Prayer Walk
I've started exercising again. I rejuggled my schedule and started walking after the kids get home after school.
In the past I would use this time to focus on something in my life, good or bad. But this time I passed a house. I knew the family that lived there and the trials they've gone through, so as I passed I prayed for them. Then I thought about the rest of the homes on that street and I prayed for them too. I walked through the "downtown" area and prayed for the businesses. I walked past my teenage hangout (closed again) and thought it would be a great place for teens to hang out again, an outreach of some sort. They need to hang out somewhere anyway. I prayed about that too.
I take a different route everyday now and pray for the homes and businesses I pass. I really enjoy the sense of community I feel without even talking to anyone but God.
I'm starting to really like this little town that I used to hate and want to escape.
Maybe you can take a prayer walk through your town or just down your street or as you walk through the stores or restaurants that you regularly go to.
In the past I would use this time to focus on something in my life, good or bad. But this time I passed a house. I knew the family that lived there and the trials they've gone through, so as I passed I prayed for them. Then I thought about the rest of the homes on that street and I prayed for them too. I walked through the "downtown" area and prayed for the businesses. I walked past my teenage hangout (closed again) and thought it would be a great place for teens to hang out again, an outreach of some sort. They need to hang out somewhere anyway. I prayed about that too.
I take a different route everyday now and pray for the homes and businesses I pass. I really enjoy the sense of community I feel without even talking to anyone but God.
I'm starting to really like this little town that I used to hate and want to escape.
Maybe you can take a prayer walk through your town or just down your street or as you walk through the stores or restaurants that you regularly go to.
Friday, March 03, 2006
My Birthday Present
My birthday is a week and a bit away. I was just telling my husband how I usually get a wonderful birthday present from God every year...a taste of spring.
I just checked the long range forcast on the weather network. Guess what? That's right, a taste of spring, double digits. Thanks God! He loves me soooo much!
I just checked the long range forcast on the weather network. Guess what? That's right, a taste of spring, double digits. Thanks God! He loves me soooo much!
Thursday, March 02, 2006
"If Satan can place a thought in your mind-and he can, it isn't much more of a trick for him to make you think it's your idea. If you knew it was Satan, you'd reject the thought, wouldn't you? But when he disgiuses his suggestion as your idea, you are more likely to accept it. That is his primary deception." "Victory Over the Darkness" by Niel T. Anderson
This blew me away and made me start thinking about the thoughts that pop into my head more carefully. I would usually start to get upset or depressed about some of the things that I was thinking about. Last week I was thinking that nobody really liked me and that everything I said was dumb. But when I really looked underneath and questioned if that really was the way that I felt, I realized that it was all a lie, just a thought planted in my mind to defeat me. Once I recognized it, it went away.
I think it's so cool that it could be that simple. Just replace it with the truth, like Jesus did.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Perfectionism
A disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable; especially: the setting of unrealistically demanding goals accompanied by a disposition to regard failure to achieve them as unacceptable and a sign of personal worthlessness.
Source: Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary 2002
I was searching for a way to be perfect. A perfect house, a perfect body, to be a perfect mother and a perfect wife. I stumbled across a web site that I can't find now. There were a bunch of women that struggled with perfectionism. It wasn't what I thought it was. I thought perfectionism was a person that did everything perfectly and always looked and acted perfect. This was a group of women who were afraid to appear imperfect. They may not have looked or acted perfectly, or had perfectly clean and decorated homes, or spoke the correct words at the correct time. Some of them worked very hard at doing that, while others, just hid away from people so as not to appear imperfect. (That would be me, the second group).
There is so much pressure on us to be perfect. We see the perfect models, perfect Martha Stewart types, entertaining and keeping their homes immaculate. Then there's those popular, funny, intelligent people, that everyone wants to be around and be like. Is any of that real?
These people aren't perfect. The perfect model has problems and flaws, she can pick herself apart just like the rest of us. I read about women who needed their homes to be perfect and never let anyone come over because they didn't want their homes to be messed up. Comedians who are so "up" and outgoing on stage come crashing down eventually, leaving their families to deal with the fall out.
I discovered something a little while ago. I have flaws (sounds of shock and amazement fill the room). God forced me to look at those very things I denied were true for so long. It was initially hard to look at and admit, but when I did, I felt free to be just who I am without the pressure of being perfect.
The difficulty comes when I'm around other people. If I forget to pray and spend some time with God first, so He can remind me who I am. I start to look for approval from the wrong place and when I mess up and say the wrong thing, or my hair isn't right, or I spilled coffee on myself, It just starts to matter too much and I feel like a failure. But my Father God knows me and He always loves me and He can see who I am inside.
If I can remember that, the whole world could dessert me because I'll always know that I have Him to turn to, He's always there by my side.
Source: Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary 2002
I was searching for a way to be perfect. A perfect house, a perfect body, to be a perfect mother and a perfect wife. I stumbled across a web site that I can't find now. There were a bunch of women that struggled with perfectionism. It wasn't what I thought it was. I thought perfectionism was a person that did everything perfectly and always looked and acted perfect. This was a group of women who were afraid to appear imperfect. They may not have looked or acted perfectly, or had perfectly clean and decorated homes, or spoke the correct words at the correct time. Some of them worked very hard at doing that, while others, just hid away from people so as not to appear imperfect. (That would be me, the second group).
There is so much pressure on us to be perfect. We see the perfect models, perfect Martha Stewart types, entertaining and keeping their homes immaculate. Then there's those popular, funny, intelligent people, that everyone wants to be around and be like. Is any of that real?
These people aren't perfect. The perfect model has problems and flaws, she can pick herself apart just like the rest of us. I read about women who needed their homes to be perfect and never let anyone come over because they didn't want their homes to be messed up. Comedians who are so "up" and outgoing on stage come crashing down eventually, leaving their families to deal with the fall out.
I discovered something a little while ago. I have flaws (sounds of shock and amazement fill the room). God forced me to look at those very things I denied were true for so long. It was initially hard to look at and admit, but when I did, I felt free to be just who I am without the pressure of being perfect.
The difficulty comes when I'm around other people. If I forget to pray and spend some time with God first, so He can remind me who I am. I start to look for approval from the wrong place and when I mess up and say the wrong thing, or my hair isn't right, or I spilled coffee on myself, It just starts to matter too much and I feel like a failure. But my Father God knows me and He always loves me and He can see who I am inside.
If I can remember that, the whole world could dessert me because I'll always know that I have Him to turn to, He's always there by my side.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Who am I?
Sanford and I have been reading "Victory over the Darkness" by Neil T. Anderson. He compiled this list to describe who you are in Christ.
Who am I?
I am the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13).
I am the light of the world (Matt.5:14).
I am a child of God (John 1:12).
I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ's life (John 15:15).
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15).
I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit (John 15:16).
I am a slave of righteousness (Rom. 6:18).
I am enslaved to God (Rom. 6:22)
I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father (Rom. 8:14,15; Gal.3:26; 4:6).
I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Rom. 8:17).
I am a temple-a dwelling place-of God. His Spirit and His life dwells in me (1Cor. 3:16; 6:19).
I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him (1Cor.6:17)
I am a member of Christ's body (1Cor 12:27; Eph. 5:30).
I am a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).
I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18,19)
I am a son of God and one in Christ (Gal 3:26,28)
I am an heir of God since I am a son of God (Gal.4:6,7)
I am a saint (Eph.1:1;1 Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2).
I am God's workmanship-His handiwork-born anew in Christ to do His work (Eph. 2:10).
I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's family (Eph. 2:19).
I am a prisoner of Christ (Eph. 3:1; 4:1).
I am righteous and holy (Eph.4:24)
I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:6).
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).
I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life (Col. 3:4).
I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4).
I am a son of light and not of darkness (1 Thess. 5:5).
I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1).
I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life (Heb.3:14).
I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house (1Pet. 2:5).
I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession (1Pet. 2:9,10).
I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (1Pet. 2:11).
I am an enemy of the devil (1Pet. 5:8)
I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns (1 John 3:1,2).
I am born of God, and the evil one-the devil-cannot touch me (1 John 5:18).
I am not the great "I am" (Exod. 3:14; John 8:24,28,58), but by the grace of God, I am what I am (1Cor. 15:10).
Who am I?
I am the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13).
I am the light of the world (Matt.5:14).
I am a child of God (John 1:12).
I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ's life (John 15:15).
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15).
I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit (John 15:16).
I am a slave of righteousness (Rom. 6:18).
I am enslaved to God (Rom. 6:22)
I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father (Rom. 8:14,15; Gal.3:26; 4:6).
I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Rom. 8:17).
I am a temple-a dwelling place-of God. His Spirit and His life dwells in me (1Cor. 3:16; 6:19).
I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him (1Cor.6:17)
I am a member of Christ's body (1Cor 12:27; Eph. 5:30).
I am a new creation (2 Cor 5:17).
I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18,19)
I am a son of God and one in Christ (Gal 3:26,28)
I am an heir of God since I am a son of God (Gal.4:6,7)
I am a saint (Eph.1:1;1 Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2).
I am God's workmanship-His handiwork-born anew in Christ to do His work (Eph. 2:10).
I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's family (Eph. 2:19).
I am a prisoner of Christ (Eph. 3:1; 4:1).
I am righteous and holy (Eph.4:24)
I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:6).
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).
I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life (Col. 3:4).
I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4).
I am a son of light and not of darkness (1 Thess. 5:5).
I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1).
I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life (Heb.3:14).
I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house (1Pet. 2:5).
I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession (1Pet. 2:9,10).
I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (1Pet. 2:11).
I am an enemy of the devil (1Pet. 5:8)
I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns (1 John 3:1,2).
I am born of God, and the evil one-the devil-cannot touch me (1 John 5:18).
I am not the great "I am" (Exod. 3:14; John 8:24,28,58), but by the grace of God, I am what I am (1Cor. 15:10).
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
I've had this idea in my head for quite awhile, years, almost decades.
I used to really like my job, I was a housekeeper at an old age home. It was a mindless job. Me and God had lots of conversations as I cleaned toilets. One day as we were talking I was thinking about judgments and how people that I knew were judged by people without knowing anything about their lives. As I prayed about this I realized that I did the same thing, many times. The strangers splashed across the headlines, the teacher at school, the angry bully.
I started thinking about these people differently, with some compassion (when I remembered).
This thought came to me the other day. There's a 300lb woman who decided on the first of the year to lose weight, to get healthy. She started to eat properly and went for a daily stroll. She kept reminding herself of her goal. She failed many times, she ate an entire chocolate cake once, but slowly she lost 100lbs. She felt good and she thought she looked good. People that knew her complimented how well she was doing, some thought she was losing too much weight.
One day she was walking down the street and she passed two women talking together, as she passed she could hear one woman say to the other "I hope I never get that fat" The woman was devastated and wondered when her efforts would produce any results. When really, they already had. She improved her health, she was happier, she had inspired many people around her, but these women didn't know that, because they couldn't see how far she'd come.
There's so many people that have a bigger story than what we see and have come much further than we realize, they have farther to go, but they've come so far already. Did you have 150lbs of sin to lose or only 10? I wonder which is more difficult to give up.
I used to really like my job, I was a housekeeper at an old age home. It was a mindless job. Me and God had lots of conversations as I cleaned toilets. One day as we were talking I was thinking about judgments and how people that I knew were judged by people without knowing anything about their lives. As I prayed about this I realized that I did the same thing, many times. The strangers splashed across the headlines, the teacher at school, the angry bully.
I started thinking about these people differently, with some compassion (when I remembered).
This thought came to me the other day. There's a 300lb woman who decided on the first of the year to lose weight, to get healthy. She started to eat properly and went for a daily stroll. She kept reminding herself of her goal. She failed many times, she ate an entire chocolate cake once, but slowly she lost 100lbs. She felt good and she thought she looked good. People that knew her complimented how well she was doing, some thought she was losing too much weight.
One day she was walking down the street and she passed two women talking together, as she passed she could hear one woman say to the other "I hope I never get that fat" The woman was devastated and wondered when her efforts would produce any results. When really, they already had. She improved her health, she was happier, she had inspired many people around her, but these women didn't know that, because they couldn't see how far she'd come.
There's so many people that have a bigger story than what we see and have come much further than we realize, they have farther to go, but they've come so far already. Did you have 150lbs of sin to lose or only 10? I wonder which is more difficult to give up.
Friday, January 13, 2006
In our local newspaper there is a columnist that I enjoy reading. He likes people and interacting with them and he's a good man. He is not a christian. He actually doesn't like the christian faith at all. He began by simply disagreeing and pointing out how christian belief is different from his own, but it's been getting progressively more angry. I've been tempted to write him back, defending my beliefs but I didn't want my anger to confirm what he believes about christians. So, I prayed for him.
I heard a radio pastor say that we shouldn't assume that we know where someone is in their spiritual walk, because when we think someone is far from the truth, they could actually be very close. I thought about how angry I got sometimes when I was confronted with the truth. Once my anger cooled, I could see that the offending people were right. I really hate it when that happens. Then I have to admit that I was wrong. Who wants to do that? It's easier to prove that I'm right. Jesus always finds a way to break through all of that though. I'm thinking that's what he's doing with this columnist. I'll continue to pray for both him and my own understanding.
I heard a radio pastor say that we shouldn't assume that we know where someone is in their spiritual walk, because when we think someone is far from the truth, they could actually be very close. I thought about how angry I got sometimes when I was confronted with the truth. Once my anger cooled, I could see that the offending people were right. I really hate it when that happens. Then I have to admit that I was wrong. Who wants to do that? It's easier to prove that I'm right. Jesus always finds a way to break through all of that though. I'm thinking that's what he's doing with this columnist. I'll continue to pray for both him and my own understanding.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Blenders
Okay, this might seem like a ridiculous thing to write about but I feel compelled to share.
I love learning about and implementing good nutrition in my life. I read labels, balance meals, bother people with endless details about what is in that disgusting thing they're eating. Not that I don't eat disgusting things myself, sometimes disgusting tastes so goood.
Anyway, the new year is upon us and one of my annual/seasonal goals is to eat well. Which of course means that my family will eat well, but eating well doesn't please every member of my family at every meal which is where the blender comes in. http://www.whfoods.com has wonderful foods listed that my children will not eat but when I blend them into spaghetti sauce, or soup they can hardly tell that it's there.
Smoothies are also a fabulous way to add extra fruits to your diet. My ingenious husband discovered that a mason jar fits on our blender blade very well. They come in a variety of sizes so they're perfect for single servings (I've also read that some mayonnaise jars also work, I haven't tried one though). All of those browning bananas, that I used to throw out, go into my freezer to bake with or add to a smoothie (any frozen fruit will work, blueberries are especially healthy, full of antioxidants)
It has been so frustrating trying to get my kids to eat wonderful foods like squash and spinach, but now I have a secret weapon and I really wanted to share it.
Stop rolling your eyes! It's very good information!
Okay, I'm done.
I love learning about and implementing good nutrition in my life. I read labels, balance meals, bother people with endless details about what is in that disgusting thing they're eating. Not that I don't eat disgusting things myself, sometimes disgusting tastes so goood.
Anyway, the new year is upon us and one of my annual/seasonal goals is to eat well. Which of course means that my family will eat well, but eating well doesn't please every member of my family at every meal which is where the blender comes in. http://www.whfoods.com has wonderful foods listed that my children will not eat but when I blend them into spaghetti sauce, or soup they can hardly tell that it's there.
Smoothies are also a fabulous way to add extra fruits to your diet. My ingenious husband discovered that a mason jar fits on our blender blade very well. They come in a variety of sizes so they're perfect for single servings (I've also read that some mayonnaise jars also work, I haven't tried one though). All of those browning bananas, that I used to throw out, go into my freezer to bake with or add to a smoothie (any frozen fruit will work, blueberries are especially healthy, full of antioxidants)
It has been so frustrating trying to get my kids to eat wonderful foods like squash and spinach, but now I have a secret weapon and I really wanted to share it.
Stop rolling your eyes! It's very good information!
Okay, I'm done.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Have you ever felt like crawling into a cave and hiding from the world? I've just recently started emerging from my cave. It's been about a year now and it's very uncomfortable.
I've been dealing with some difficult stuff and confronting myself about my part in them.
I don't think Satan likes that too much. He wants me to retreat, to hide. Normally, that's what I'd do. That's what makes me feel better. As much as I would love to hide and retreat I feel God nudging me forward. I believe life is going to get more uncomfortable real soon. It scares me, but I know that I need to grow to be useful to God.
So here I am Lord! Please help me stay on the path, whatever comes my way.
I've been dealing with some difficult stuff and confronting myself about my part in them.
I don't think Satan likes that too much. He wants me to retreat, to hide. Normally, that's what I'd do. That's what makes me feel better. As much as I would love to hide and retreat I feel God nudging me forward. I believe life is going to get more uncomfortable real soon. It scares me, but I know that I need to grow to be useful to God.
So here I am Lord! Please help me stay on the path, whatever comes my way.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:17
This past Sunday was Narnia Sunday at our church. Our Pastor, a gifted speaker, spoke eloquently about the story, it's author and the movie. Fantastic! But near the very beginning he said those words "for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him", then he apologized on behalf of all or any Christian who condemned anyone there, because we were not sent to condemn either. He spoke those words on my behalf and I really wished my mom and my brother were there to hear those words, because really it was me that should have said them.
I'm sure you've seen the bitterness dripping from me, infecting other areas of my life. I can't speak without bitterness permeating my words. This is the barrier, my condemnation, that I am in no position to give.
I'm visiting my mother this Friday for the first time in way too long. Please pray for me and our relationship.
I'm sure you've seen the bitterness dripping from me, infecting other areas of my life. I can't speak without bitterness permeating my words. This is the barrier, my condemnation, that I am in no position to give.
I'm visiting my mother this Friday for the first time in way too long. Please pray for me and our relationship.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
It is the beginning of t.v./computer free week for our family. We usually have a t.v. free week 4 times per year. This is not one of the scheduled weeks. Our lives have been kind of disorganized lately so I felt that it was time to get rid of all the distractions that keep us from focusing on what's important.
I'm really glad we have these and that I can actually tear myself away from these things that I usually use to comfort me. It forces me to turn to God and spend time with Him. I've needed to do this for awhile. I think we may add an extra week now, right before Christmas.
See y'all in a week!
I'm really glad we have these and that I can actually tear myself away from these things that I usually use to comfort me. It forces me to turn to God and spend time with Him. I've needed to do this for awhile. I think we may add an extra week now, right before Christmas.
See y'all in a week!
Friday, November 25, 2005
You may have noticed that I have been struggling with my parenting choices.
I've found that when I see others doing so well, I realize how inferior I am. I've tried not to get defensive, but learn from them, confessing that I'm failing and asking God to help me change.
God knows me so well. He knew this would be difficult for me and hasn't forced me to face it until now.
When I became a parent I realized what an important job it was. I didn't want to just follow the lead of those before me. I wanted to do a good job. I didn't want to be responsible for ruining an entire life. I also didn't want to lose the very good relationship I've always had with my husband. That was the most precious of all.
I read many opinions from many perspectives. My child, of course, would be perfect as long as I didn't mess him up.
If you've met me, you know that I can be an emotional basket case. I think a lot of my emotions came to the surface when my son was born. I couldn't believe how quickly I fell in love with him and how I could possibly love my husband more than I already did. We were suddenly a family, a real family.
My response when my son cried was immediate. I didn't like it. I had a physical need to comfort him. Some experts recommend suppressing this need and a lot of mothers are successful at doing that. I could not. I had planned to, I wanted to, but I couldn't. My baby needed me and I needed to comfort my baby.
I continued to try to follow the experts recommendations. I really wanted some time with my husband. I envied the women who bottle fed or could express their milk and went out with their husbands, alone, only weeks later. I could not, though I desperately wanted to.
Months passed. My son was on a pretty good schedule, with a regular bedtime and naptime.
I rocked him to sleep. I still couldn't bear to hear him cry.
I had to return to work. I begged God to make a way for me to stay home. I thought of many ideas, none were practical. I weaned my baby onto a bottle at 6 mos., heartbreaking. I prepared to take him to my mother-in-law while I worked. We visited regularly, getting him used to his new surroundings. Sanford and I went out for our birthday when he was five mos., we enjoyed our time together but also missed our baby. When we called to check on him, he was sick (vomiting with a fever) so we went home.
He cried every morning when I left him and I cried all the way to work, praying that he would be okay and still praying for a chance to stay home with him.
I was torn between my obligations at work, time with my husband and time with my son. It was hard for me.
My frustration with the nanny shows and moms that do things differently is that I could not do it that way. I recognize that it was my failure. If I could take a step back and allow some emotional distance, things may have been different.
I hung onto my self proclaimed title of "good mother", knowing that I was meeting my baby's emotional needs, but perhaps neglecting those of my husband and my own. I can see now that I probably wasn't healthy emotionally, maybe I'm still not.
I know my kids would have been fine with a different mom who has different methods. Those moms are great and organized and have time for their husband way sooner than I could be. The nanny shows are probably beneficial, I just can't bear to hear the little children crying and so, I can't watch them.
I'm giving to God this last thing that I thought I could do well, because in truth, my kids are great kids because of Him and in spite of me.
Somehow we've made it through. My husband still loves me and after this last batch of kids we're anxious to get back to being simply, a couple. I hope the decisions we've made haven't caused any damage that time together can't fix.
I've found that when I see others doing so well, I realize how inferior I am. I've tried not to get defensive, but learn from them, confessing that I'm failing and asking God to help me change.
God knows me so well. He knew this would be difficult for me and hasn't forced me to face it until now.
When I became a parent I realized what an important job it was. I didn't want to just follow the lead of those before me. I wanted to do a good job. I didn't want to be responsible for ruining an entire life. I also didn't want to lose the very good relationship I've always had with my husband. That was the most precious of all.
I read many opinions from many perspectives. My child, of course, would be perfect as long as I didn't mess him up.
If you've met me, you know that I can be an emotional basket case. I think a lot of my emotions came to the surface when my son was born. I couldn't believe how quickly I fell in love with him and how I could possibly love my husband more than I already did. We were suddenly a family, a real family.
My response when my son cried was immediate. I didn't like it. I had a physical need to comfort him. Some experts recommend suppressing this need and a lot of mothers are successful at doing that. I could not. I had planned to, I wanted to, but I couldn't. My baby needed me and I needed to comfort my baby.
I continued to try to follow the experts recommendations. I really wanted some time with my husband. I envied the women who bottle fed or could express their milk and went out with their husbands, alone, only weeks later. I could not, though I desperately wanted to.
Months passed. My son was on a pretty good schedule, with a regular bedtime and naptime.
I rocked him to sleep. I still couldn't bear to hear him cry.
I had to return to work. I begged God to make a way for me to stay home. I thought of many ideas, none were practical. I weaned my baby onto a bottle at 6 mos., heartbreaking. I prepared to take him to my mother-in-law while I worked. We visited regularly, getting him used to his new surroundings. Sanford and I went out for our birthday when he was five mos., we enjoyed our time together but also missed our baby. When we called to check on him, he was sick (vomiting with a fever) so we went home.
He cried every morning when I left him and I cried all the way to work, praying that he would be okay and still praying for a chance to stay home with him.
I was torn between my obligations at work, time with my husband and time with my son. It was hard for me.
My frustration with the nanny shows and moms that do things differently is that I could not do it that way. I recognize that it was my failure. If I could take a step back and allow some emotional distance, things may have been different.
I hung onto my self proclaimed title of "good mother", knowing that I was meeting my baby's emotional needs, but perhaps neglecting those of my husband and my own. I can see now that I probably wasn't healthy emotionally, maybe I'm still not.
I know my kids would have been fine with a different mom who has different methods. Those moms are great and organized and have time for their husband way sooner than I could be. The nanny shows are probably beneficial, I just can't bear to hear the little children crying and so, I can't watch them.
I'm giving to God this last thing that I thought I could do well, because in truth, my kids are great kids because of Him and in spite of me.
Somehow we've made it through. My husband still loves me and after this last batch of kids we're anxious to get back to being simply, a couple. I hope the decisions we've made haven't caused any damage that time together can't fix.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Have you ever met someone that saw all of your potential? That knew you better than you knew yourself? That pushed you to do new things before you thought you were ready? So you avoid him, because he makes you feel uncomfortable and you just know he's going to push you in a new uncomfortable direction.
Jesus is like that for me. I love Him so much but when I talk to Him, I know what He's going to say. It's not going to be pretty. It's not going to feel good. I'm gonna hafta change. So I avoid Him, but He keeps tapping me on the shoulder. "I love you Maureen, come spend time with me" You can't run from that forever.
Jesus is like that for me. I love Him so much but when I talk to Him, I know what He's going to say. It's not going to be pretty. It's not going to feel good. I'm gonna hafta change. So I avoid Him, but He keeps tapping me on the shoulder. "I love you Maureen, come spend time with me" You can't run from that forever.
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